Footpath renewal continues on Lygon St

On April 22 workers began tearing up a second stretch of footpath on Lygon St to replace the aging asphalt with new bluestone paving.

The work is part of a wider Lygon St footpath upgrade that will be completed in stages over the next six years. Bluestone paving will eventually cover both sides of Lygon St between Queensbury and Grattan streets.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece visited the worksite on the eastern side of Lygon St between Finlay Place and Queensbury St on April 23.

“Bluestone footpaths are a big part of Melbourne’s character. They create timeless, beautiful streetscapes and they make getting around smoother and easier for everyone,” the Lord Mayor said.

Lygon St traders have been asking for bluestone paving for years, according to the council.

The council had previously chosen to prioritise footpath upgrades in the CBD, but with that project nearing completion the decision has been taken to begin paving Lygon St.

Renewal works will also include upgraded street furniture, enlarging the area of porous paving around street trees, and replacing kerbs and access ramps.

The first stage of the footpath renewal works, between Pelham St and Finlay Place, was completed the week before Easter.

Nurul Hassan’s restaurant Il Gambero is located along the first stretch of paving to be completed, and he is pleased with the result.

“They did the work very quickly and it looks much better,” Mr Hassan told Inner City News, but added that he was concerned that the loss of parking during the work was affecting his business.

The first stage of works took three weeks to complete. Restaurants were able to remain open for the duration of the project, though street dining areas were closed off.

The second stage will proceed with the same process as the first.

Work will occur Monday to Friday between 7am and 5.30pm and begin at the Pelham St end. The council has said that “every measure” would be “taken to minimise disruption.”

By the end of May, the second stage of renewal works will be complete, with the next stage to be announced in the new financial year.

Further north on Lygon St, Marco and Ricky Donnini of Donnini’s Italian restaurant were emphatically positive.

“We support anything to help keep this street beautiful and unique,” Marco Donnini said. •